Docker vs. Pressable

Initial Setup

Docker

Docker simplifies the application layer. You can write a docker-compose.yml file that defines your WordPress and MySQL containers, run docker-compose up, and you have a working local environment. The official images handle dependencies, and Docker’s documentation walks you through the basics.

The complexity comes from everything around Docker. For a production site, you need a server to run Docker on, whether that’s a VPS or a container platform like AWS ECS. You’ll need to configure SSL certificates, set up a reverse proxy like Nginx, manage DNS, and figure out persistent storage for your database and uploads.

Each of these is solvable, but requires research, configuration, and testing. If you need high availability or automatic scaling, you’re looking at container orchestration with Kubernetes or a managed container service, each with its own learning curve and operational overhead.

Pressable

You sign up, create a site through the MyPressable dashboard, and you’re live. SSL certificates, CDN, and caching are already configured because the platform is purpose-built for WordPress. If you’re migrating existing sites, Pressable’s team handles the process at no extra cost, regardless of how many sites you’re moving.

Ongoing Maintenance

Docker

Running WordPress in Docker means maintaining multiple layers. You’re responsible for updating WordPress core, plugins, and themes, just like any WordPress site. But you’re also accountable for the Docker images themselves, which need periodic updates to pick up security patches in PHP, Apache, and the underlying OS. And if you’re running Docker on a VPS or cloud instance, there’s a host operating system that needs patching too.

Backups require deliberate configuration. You’ll need to set up scheduled exports of your database and persistent volumes, then store them somewhere off-server. Monitoring is similar: if you want alerts when your site goes down or your container crashes, you’ll need to configure that tooling yourself.

WordPress also brings its own container challenges: file upload permissions, cron job configuration, and multisite routing all need special handling.

Pressable

Pressable handles infrastructure maintenance and management automatically. The platform manages server updates, security patches, and PHP versions. Backups run daily (with real-time backup available through the included Jetpack Security integration), and restoring a backup is a few clicks in the dashboard. Monitoring is built in, with uptime checks and performance tracking.

WordPress Security

Docker

Security in a self-hosted Docker environment is your responsibility. As we’ve mentioned, you’ll need to keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated, as well as the base Docker images. 

WordPress-specific security measures like malware scanning, brute force protection, and vulnerability monitoring require additional tooling. You can install security plugins within WordPress, but infrastructure-level protection (DDoS mitigation, WAF rules, intrusion detection) means either configuring those services yourself or paying for them separately.

Pressable

Pressable includes a Web Application Firewall that filters exploits targeting WordPress and WooCommerce, plus DDoS protection with on-demand Defensive Mode when you need extra mitigation during an attack. Every plan also includes Jetpack Security for brute force protection, malware scanning, threat monitoring, and activity logs. If your site is compromised, Pressable’s team provides free hack recovery assistance to restore and secure it.

WordPress Performance

Docker

Out of the box, a Docker-based WordPress setup delivers baseline performance. Getting beyond that requires work. You’ll need to configure a caching plugin, set up object caching with Redis or Memcached (which means running another container), and tune PHP settings for your traffic patterns. A CDN for static assets means signing up for a separate service and configuring it to work with your setup.

Pressable

Pressable runs on WP Cloud, Automattic’s container-based infrastructure built specifically for WordPress. The platform includes multiple caching layers (page cache, object cache, and database query caching) configured out of the box, plus a global edge cache and CDN with 28 locations. When traffic spikes, the platform scales automatically up to 100+ vCPUs without manual intervention or additional charges.

Technical Support

Docker

When something goes wrong with a self-hosted Docker setup, you’re drawing on multiple knowledge bases: WordPress forums, Docker documentation, and your hosting provider’s support (if any). There’s no single point of contact who understands the full stack, and no one with a contractual obligation to help you fix it.

Pressable

Pressable provides 24/7 support from WordPress experts with an average response time under four minutes. The support team understands both the WordPress application layer and the underlying infrastructure, so you’re not bounced between different vendors or left to troubleshoot integration issues yourself. For agencies managing multiple client sites, premium Slack support is also available.

Is Docker Right for You?

Docker makes sense in specific scenarios where the trade-offs align with your team’s strengths and requirements:

• Local development environments where you want parity with production
• Organizations with existing DevOps teams that already manage containerized infrastructure
• Compliance or regulatory requirements that mandate self-hosting on infrastructure you fully control

Is Pressable Right for You?

Pressable is the right choice for agencies and high-traffic WooCommerce stores or business sites that need predictable performance and guaranteed availability. It is a reliable partner for organizations where uptime and stability directly affect revenue or client success.

Pressable is suitable for:

• Digital agencies managing client sites at scale
• Fast-growing content or business sites
• Moderate to high-traffic WooCommerce stores